MEDIA ADVISORY
Local Organizations Join Forces to Increase Access to Healthy Food During the Summer Months
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
What: In a remarkable display of community collaboration, the San Diego Unified School District, City Public Libraries, Parks & Recreation Centers, Feeding San Diego, and the United States Department of Agriculture have joined hands to connect local families and students with free, healthy and delicious food during the summer months.
Schools, libraries, parks, and other community centers are turning into meal and nutrition hubs this summer, offering free breakfast and lunch to children and teens in the community. In addition to nourishing meals, some sites offer fresh produce and pantry items for families, nutrition education resources, reading activities for children, and food benefits for families to purchase groceries, all helping San Diego youth stay active and thriving.
On any given school day, tens of thousands of students rely on the Universal Meals program at San Diego Unified, which is critical in providing the nourishment that students need to learn, play, and grow. Through the joint effort of these organizations, families now have more ways to get their children the nutrition they need during the summertime when school meals aren't available.
This partnership underscores a shared commitment to supporting the San Diego community and addressing the pressing issue of food insecurity.
When: Friday, June 14 at 9 a.m. (visuals available earlier, see details below)
Where: Rosa Parks Elementary, 4510 Landis St., San Diego, CA 92105
Who:
- San Diego Unified School District Board Trustee Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne
- San Diego Unified Food and Nutrition Services Director Alicia Pitrone Hauser
- San Diego Public Library Director Misty Jones
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service Western Region Administrator Jesus Mendoza, Jr.
- Feeding San Diego Chief Executive Officer Bob Kamensky
- Rosa Parks Elementary Principal Christina Prado
- Rosa Parks Elementary Parent Center Volunteer Berenice Ocampo
Visuals:
- 7:30-8 a.m. – Nutrition professionals prepping breakfast and lunch meals for children
- 8-9 a.m. – Feeding San Diego School Pantry volunteers filling up bags with fresh and canned food items and distributing to families
- 9 a.m. – Press conference
Media Contacts:
San Diego Unified Communications: Tara McNamara, 619-559-6596, tmcnamara@sandi.net
San Diego Unified's Food & Nutrition Services: Leslie Luna, 858-717-2499, lluna1@sandi.net
Feeding San Diego: Carissa Casares, 619-994-3596, ccasares@feedingsandiego.org
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San Diego Unified Summer Meal Program
Through the Summer Meals Program, children and youth (ages 18 & under) can eat free breakfast and lunch during the summertime at schools, libraries, parks & recreation centers, YMCAs and other neighborhood locations. Last summer, nearly 500,000 meals were served through the Summer Meals Program. It is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.
USDA Sun Bucks
SUN Bucks is a new grocery benefit available across most of the United States. Families with eligible school-aged children can get $120 per child to buy groceries during the summer.
Feeding San Diego
Feeding San Diego is a non-profit organization on a mission to connect every person facing hunger with nutritious meals by maximizing food rescue. Established in 2007, Feeding San Diego rescues surplus food from local and national food donors before it goes to waste and gets it to people facing hunger in San Diego County. It is the only Feeding America partner food bank in the region.
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